Narutas Viesulo Kronikos is the Lithuanian voice-over version of Naruto: Shippuden that aired on BTV starting in 2013. This local adaptation brought the popular ninja anime to Lithuanian audiences in their native language. The series follows Naruto Uzumaki’s return to his village after training, as he works to rescue his friend Sasuke and faces powerful enemies. As a distinct television show within the broader Naruto franchise, it represents an important cultural bridge for Lithuanian viewers.
Narutas Viesulo Kronikos
The name Narutas Viesulo Kronikos translates to “Chronicles of the Hurricane” in English. The etymology reveals thoughtful localization: “Viesulo” derives from the Lithuanian word for hurricane or whirlwind, while “Kronikos” means chronicles or records in Lithuanian.
This Lithuanian adaptation preserved the energy and spirit of the original Japanese version while making it accessible to local viewers. The localization decision went beyond simple translation. BTV chose a title that would resonate with Lithuanian speakers while maintaining the show’s core identity. The word “Viesulo” captures the intensity and power central to the series. This approach helped the show connect with audiences who might have struggled with subtitled versions or English dubs.
The series built on the success of its predecessor. The original Naruto aired on LNK starting in September 2008 under the title “Narutas.” Despite not broadcasting all episodes of the first series, the network moved forward with Shippuden. This decision shows how strong the fan demand was in Lithuania. Viewers wanted to continue following Naruto’s journey through the Shippuden saga, even if they had missed parts of the earlier story.
What is Narutas Viesulo Kronikos?
Narutas Viesulo Kronikos is the Lithuanian voice-over of Naruto: Shippuden, a Japanese animation series that continues Naruto’s story. The show picks up after a time skip, with Naruto returning stronger and more skilled after years of training.
The series premiered on BTV channel in 2013, several years after the original Japanese version began airing in 2007. This anime series consists of 500 episodes in its original form, though the exact number aired in Lithuania remains unclear. This gap was typical for international dubs at the time. Broadcasting anime in different countries required licensing agreements, finding voice actors, and completing the dubbing process. Lithuanian fans had to wait, but they eventually got to experience the story in their own language.
What makes this version special is its role in Lithuanian anime fandom. Before streaming became common, television was how most people discovered anime adaptation content. Narutas Viesulo Kronikos introduced a generation of Lithuanian viewers to anime storytelling. Many fans remember nostalgic viewing experiences on Saturday mornings or after school. These shared viewing experiences created a sense of community. Friends would discuss the latest episodes at school, debate character choices, and predict what would happen next.
The show follows Naruto Uzumaki, now a teenager, as he pursues his dream of becoming Hokage. The story explores themes of friendship, perseverance, and redemption. These universal messages resonated with Lithuanian audiences just as they did with viewers worldwide. The dub made these themes accessible without language barriers, allowing younger viewers and those unfamiliar with Japanese to fully engage with the story.
Lithuanian Voice Cast, Adaptation & Translation
The voice cast for Narutas Viesulo Kronikos brought Lithuanian talent to the beloved characters. However, specific actor credits and information about the dubbing studio remain difficult to verify through available sources.*
Lithuanian voice acting for anime requires special skills. Actors must match the emotional intensity of the original Japanese performances while making dialogue sound natural in Lithuanian. They need to sync their voices to the animated mouth movements, a technical challenge known as lip-sync dubbing. The actors also had to capture each character’s unique personality. Naruto’s energetic, determined voice differs sharply from Sasuke’s cool, serious tone. Sakura’s growth from uncertain to confident needed to come through in the vocal performance.
The translation process involved more than converting Japanese to Lithuanian. Translators had to handle cultural references, jokes, and ninja terminology. Some concepts don’t have direct Lithuanian equivalents. Names presented another challenge. The series kept character names in their Japanese forms rather than creating Lithuanian versions. This choice maintained consistency with the international franchise while still making the dialogue accessible.
Certain elements likely changed during localization. Honorifics like “sensei” and “chan” might have been adapted or explained. Cultural references specific to Japan may have been modified to help Lithuanian viewers understand. Food names, festival traditions, and some humor likely received adjustments. These changes aimed to preserve the story’s essence while removing barriers to understanding. Unfortunately, detailed documentation of these specific adaptation choices isn’t readily available as archival content in public sources.
Plot Summary & Differences from Original Shippuden
The story begins with Naruto’s return to Konoha after two and a half years of training. He’s stronger, more skilled, and ready to fulfill his promise to Sakura: bringing Sasuke home. This marks a new chapter in the story arcs that define the series.
Naruto finds his village has changed. New threats have emerged, particularly the Akatsuki organization. This group of powerful criminals seeks to capture tailed beasts, including the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed inside Naruto. Team 7 reforms with new members. Sai, a mysterious artist with social difficulties, joins the team. Yamato, a skilled ninja who can use Wood Style techniques, becomes their temporary leader. Together, they embark on dangerous missions to stop the Akatsuki and locate Sasuke.
The narrative explores Sasuke’s path. He’s training under Orochimaru, a villain who wants to take over his body. Sasuke accepts this risk because he believes it will help him gain the power to defeat his brother Itachi. This creates the central conflict: Naruto wants to save his friend, but Sasuke has chosen a dark path. Their bond, tested by betrayal and different goals, drives much of the series.
Major story arcs include the rescue of Gaara, battles against Akatsuki members, and revelations about the ninja world’s history. The Pain’s Assault arc became particularly memorable for Lithuanian fans, delivering emotionally powerful moments as Naruto confronted an enemy who devastated his village. The series doesn’t shy away from complex themes. It examines the cycle of hatred, the cost of revenge, and what it means to protect others. The character development throughout these arcs shows characters facing moral dilemmas without easy answers.
As for differences from the original version, the Lithuanian dub likely maintained the same plot and episode order. Content changes, if any, remain undocumented. Some international versions of anime make edits for cultural reasons or age ratings. Whether BTV made such changes to Narutas Viesulo Kronikos isn’t confirmed in available sources. The core story appears to have stayed intact, allowing Lithuanian viewers to experience the same narrative that captivated audiences worldwide.
Broadcast, Availability & Reception in Lithuania
BTV broadcast began airing Narutas Viesulo Kronikos in 2013. The exact end date of the broadcast run remains unclear, with sources only indicating “20??” as the last known television airing date.
The show helped mainstream anime culture in Lithuania. Before it aired, anime was more niche. Casual viewers might have seen a few titles, but anime fandom remained relatively small. Narutas Viesulo Kronikos changed this. Its prime time slots made it accessible to broad audiences. Kids, teenagers, and even some adults tuned in. The show’s popularity sparked interest in other anime series. Viewers who enjoyed Naruto began seeking out similar shows. This created demand for more anime dubbing and imports.
Fan reception was strong. Online communities formed where Lithuanian fans could discuss episodes, share theories, and create fan art. These spaces allowed people to connect over shared interests. Conventions began including more anime content. Cosplayers dressed as Naruto characters. The show became a reference point in youth culture. Even people who didn’t watch anime regularly recognized Naruto’s orange outfit and ninja headband.
Today, streaming platforms have changed how people watch. Narutas Viesulo Kronikos is available on multiple Lithuanian websites. Pasakos.lt offers various seasons with options for VIP members. Animukas.tv provides episodes for free viewing. Filmai.tv and Filmux.to also host the series. This availability means new generations can discover the show. People who missed the original broadcast can now watch it online.
The show’s legacy in Lithuania extends beyond entertainment. It introduced storytelling techniques common in anime but less prevalent in Western animation. Long character arcs, complex themes, and serialized storytelling became familiar through Narutas Viesulo Kronikos. The series demonstrated that animation could tackle serious subjects while remaining accessible to younger audiences. Its success paved the way for other anime titles to find Lithuanian audiences, contributing to the country’s growing appreciation for Japanese animation as an art form.
Key Points for Readers:
- Broadcasting History: Narutas Viesulo Kronikos premiered on BTV in 2013, following the original Narutas series that aired on LNK starting in 2008. The Lithuanian version brought the complete 500-episode saga to local audiences over time.
- Current Accessibility: The series is now available for streaming on multiple Lithuanian platforms including Pasakos.lt, Animukas.tv, and Filmai.tv, making it accessible to both nostalgic fans and new viewers who prefer online viewing.
- Cultural Impact: The show played a significant role in bringing anime into mainstream Lithuanian culture, helping build a vibrant local anime community through shared viewing experiences, online discussions, and convention participation.
- Localization Quality: While specific voice actor credits and dubbing studio information remain difficult to verify, the Lithuanian adaptation successfully maintained the emotional depth and themes of the original while making the story accessible to local audiences through careful translation work.
- Fan Community: Lithuanian fans created active online and offline communities around the series, engaging in discussions, creating fan art, and participating in cosplay events that continue today, demonstrating the lasting cultural significance of this adaptation.
*Note: Specific voice actor credits and dubbing studio information for Narutas Viesulo Kronikos are not publicly documented in readily available sources. This information may exist in Lithuanian television archives or industry records.
